1: Gathering Information

Before you start, here is something you need to be aware of. The foundation for a great explainer video is to understand the requirements. This is where you determine, the user pain points, product features/benefits, and user demographics etc.

At this stage, the video production company and you communicate to set the right expectation for the explainer video. Usually, the video production company provides you with a creative brief for this purpose.

In short, the creative brief is a video production client questionnaire. It encompasses details like the video’s purpose, target audience, and their quick elevator pitch.

Later, through an online call or a personal meeting, the product can be better known. Also, queries between you and the video production company can be cleared if any.

It is in this stage of the animation process, the participation from creative directors and scriptwriters are encouraged.

Want to see the creative brief template used at Studiotale? Here you go.

2: Concept & Script

Like blueprints are to buildings; the same way concept & script are to an animated explainer video.

It all starts with an idea, be it conceptual, character-driven, emotionally evoking or conversational. It is your call to choose the right framework for your animated explainer video.

When writing an explainer video script, here is the list of things to be taken note of:

What is the ideal length for explainer video?

60 to 90 seconds is perfect for creating an animated explainer video. Hence, 150 words per minute are the ideal words for the script. That is to say, 210 to 225 words for an animation duration of 90 seconds video.

Script Format:

The two categories to which your story can belong:

Problem-Solution Approach: This approach is employed, when you are addressing a well-known problem with your product or service. A problem statement that your target audience will connect with immediately. Which is followed by the launch of the product, its features, and benefits as a solution. This is a highly preferred approach.

Stand-alone Story Approach: If you are dealing with an innovative concept, i.e. Launching new product or service unknown to people. So, you directly start the video with the product and its benefits.

Example: Here is the sample script which we made for Atoka animated video project.

3: Voiceover Recording

It is about time to choose the right voice over artist. There’s no denying; a voice over can make or break your video!

How to choose the voice over artist?

Whether male or female, British or American, find the right voice to match your brand’s tone. If you wish to hit the right chord with the user, the tone and pace should be just right.

Pace:

For instance, it is important to give the viewers enough time to digest what you say. While also assuring that they do not get too bored.

Tone:

If your brand is easy going and simple, your voice over artist can have a little fun while recording. Whereas, if your product or service is serious, an authoritative and neutral tone is what you need.

A good voiceover demands to:

Stress the right words,

Follow the correct pitch

And, pause at the right place.

There are some great platforms where you can find the best voice over artists for your video. The premium options which you can go for are Voices and Voicebunny. Meanwhile, you can reach out to Fiverr for a tight budget. As always the agencies take care of the voice over department if you choose them.

Example Voiceover: Without further ado, check this voiceover recorded for Atoka explainer video project.

4: Storyboard

The next step is to create a detailed storyboard with the scene-by-scene visuals.

So what is a storyboard?

It is nothing but hand-drawn sketches of how your script will play out, describing the actions and the visual.

Hence, the storyboard directs the designer and animator to create scenes, transitions, and progression in their animation.

Example: Take a look at how we created the storyboard for Atoka, along with another example right away!

5: Visual Style

In this stage of the animation process, a visual style is created based on your brand guidelines. You can call it a colored storyboard. These are custom, full-color images that show you how the final video will look.

They include character design, eye candy illustrations, text, background color, and icons.

This part of the animation process is time-consuming and requires creativity. So, it is best to leave the designer undisturbed to get the best results.

Example: Take a walk through the visual style we have defined for Atoka animation project.

6: Animation

Much awaited stage, this is where your animated explainer video starts to take shape! Here the animators provide the illusion of life to the created visual style. In addition, it is perfectly timed with a good voiceover to make an engaging animated explainer video.

Animation involves a lot of time. So, have a little patience.

Example: Peek-a-boo into Atoka’s style frames that have been animated creatively.

7: Music

Have you experienced a sudden mood switch with a nice song? Well, music in explainer videos too can do just that. The next stage of the animation process is to add a great soundtrack and sound effects to your explainer video.

How to choose the right music track for your explainer video?

A music composer can compose an original piece. Contrarily, you can also use sources such as Audiojungle, Pond5 and Melodyloops to find the right music track.

Additional custom sound effects such as a mouse click, scrolls, pop-ups will add an extra flair to your video.

This phase of the animation process is hence most noteworthy to liven up your video and give that little something more.

Example: Listen to the final output of the music that we have used for Atoka.

8: Delivery

Bingo! The explainer video is all set to charm the audience.

For instance, take a look at the final output of the explainer video we made for Atoka using this animation process.

Conclusion

Certainly, this animation process will guide you in creating an awe-inspiring animated explainer video. Not to brag, we are listed among the top video production company on DesignRush and Clutch. So use the above animation process to your advantage.

If you did like what you saw and heard? And want to get an animated explainer video for your business. Feel free to reach out to us here.